Tuesday, November 20, 2012

A reader sent along this Urban Etiquette Sign from an Avenue C building...

[Click image to enlarge]

It reads in part...

Dear new residents of [redacted] Avenue C:

This neighborhood has existed and co-existed since long before you moved in.

It is a diverse neighborhood of people who are not tolerant of entitled, suburban, college frat behavior, and your disrespect and ignorance of your neighbors and the area you have chosen to live is obnoxious and disturbing — and it will not be tolerated.

THIS IS NOT YOUR FRAT HOUSE, A DORM, OR YOUR PARENTS BACKYARD IN CONNECTICUT. SHOW SOME RESPECT.

An occasional, respectful party is acceptable — storing kegs in the back and having obnoxious post-grads running rampant around the building with frat-letter flags on their head is not.

You do not own this neighborhood or this City. Just because you cannot afford to move out and receive entitlements supplementing your rent because your Aunt got herself on some list in the 50s does not mean you can dictate the behavior of others who are forced to pay market rent to supplement your lviing closer to the Central Business District. Mind your own business and we'll get along just fine.

Anon 8:53, I am nothing like your description of who you think wrote/commented on this post. As a fifth generation NY er I can say nobody is amused with you little douche bags. I am not living in a rent controlled apartment nor unable to move. Yet I live in this community because I like the people that live and care about the EV. Why don't you save us all the aggrevation and move to some suburb sooner rather than later. I hear they like rude inconsiderate people out there.

...and the Native Americans wrote the same letter to the Dutch, and the Dutch wrote the same letter to the Germans, and Germans wrote the same letter to the Russians and the Russians wrote the same letter to the Puerto Ricans...this has been going on for centuries, but it's nice to know the author has corrupted it to mask what is basically a noise complaint.

Hey both you two! Yeah, the two of you arguing about living in the "EV" and what it "means" or whatever.

You are both equally terrible. The personal qualities that you have revealed in your comments reflect comically self-important attitudes, which entirely undermine any nugget of truth in either of your arguments.

This city is full of neighborhoods populated by loyal residents. These neighborhoods have changed hundreds of times before. They will change a hundred more.

Anony 12:39 PM-I totally agree with your post but I think you were referring to Anony 11:20 AM, not Anony 8:55 AM. To Anony 11:20 AM, you self-entitled little prick, I am not a hipster but I am your worst fucking nightmare, a Shanty-Irish/Greaseball-Dago working class guy who would love to “discuss” your point of view in the middle of Jacob Riis Houses around 2 AM? We will see who the real locals there leave alone. Don't worry, you can bring some of your "Bro" dudes along for protection.

sorry Crazy Eddie, I was fired up about the anon referring to hipster-dbags. As for the anon that thinks my post was self important, you should live next door to the inconsiderate awful children of suburban baby boomers and get back to me. My opinion on the self involved , entitled 20 somethings i've described has been written about by social commentators extensively. And they can only change a neighborhood if they are allowed.

Maybe there needs to be a 'EV Urban Etiquette Guide' that one receives upon moving into the neighborhood? Something proactive, that lays down guidelines and expectations before problems arise? (e.g. keep noise down before 7am and after 10pm, slip a note under your neighboring doors a few days before a party to give them a heads-up etc.) As well as indicate what steps would be taken in the event these social norms are violated (notification to management, police etc.).

Granted, it would be nice if the helicopter parents who raised these self-centered brats had taught them some manners during the previous 20 years, before unleashing them on polite society.

But in the absence of building a time machine to go back and raise these little bastards right, what can be done to improve quality of life in the East Village now?

Ideally without having to resort to physical violence - though I agree, it is tempting.

We probably should have bought up some of the land we felt (feel) we re-claimed back when the going was good. Back in the day, when we were fighting the good fight. We didn't, and they did (or, irrelevantly but annoyingly, their parents did, and we sold it to them for a song). We might own the moral high-ground, but moral high-ground and a token won't even get you on the subway anymore. You agree to live in Manhattan, and you know Manhattan - of all places - is ruled by real estate more than anything else. So we can either all agree to live in this kind of (mostly white and mostly educated and mostly privileged as fuck) victim-hood "back in the day" shit or just move on. All our ineffectual blog postings haven't stopped a single fucking building going up.

That said, my heart stays pure and back in the day. Why's Pete Missing been hiding in Berlin so long?

I'm a 20-something who moved to this neighborhood a few years ago, and I like staying up late and playing music.

BUT when midnight rolls around I promptly plug in the earphones.

When I do go out to bars, I don't throw-up on people's stoops and I don't wooo at the top of my lungs when I know families are sleeping.

It's not about old vs. new or a changing neighborhood. Its about COMMON DECENCY.

If you were raised right you learned what that was at a young age. And for those who haven't learned common decency by the end of grade school- you need to realize this, and start being considerate of other people.

An a-hole at any age, time period, or place, is still an a-hole. Show your neighbors some common decency.

Whoever posted that sign must have read my mind because I'm dealing with the same problem and I don't live in the East Village but rather Little Italy (or "Nolita," as the arrivistes call it).First of all, let it be said that if such a thing as common courtesy still existed, such a sign would not even be necessary. But, as other commenters have pointed out, the parents of this spoiled generation of entitled assholes have failed their jobs miserably and we (meaning the people who have actually lived here for the last 30 years) are the ones who are suffering for it.Many times I've wanted to knock on my neighbor's door or scream out my window at the little NYU brats running rampant around my neighborhood and say: "This is not a college dorm or a theme park for your personal amusement. You're not living in your parents' big house in suburban Connecticut, you're living in a tenement building where if someone farts on the first floor, they can hear it on the sixth. So stop blasting your stereo like it's Madison Square Garden and stop shouting at the person standing right next to you, they can hear you in a normal speaking voice! Some of us actually have to work for a living and don't have rich parents funding our lifestyle.”Youth is no excuse in this kind of behavior. I never behaved with such willful disregard for other people when I was in my twenties and I don’t now. This is about common courtesy, but the problem with rude people is that they’re so clueless, they’re not even aware that they’re being rude.

i.e. - control what you can control...your own world. cuz you probably cant control NY

i.e. - "bad" neighbors are often just 'different' neighborsi.e. - it is not bad in-and-of-itself to enjoy quiet nor is it bad in-and-of-itself to enjoy screaming down the halls at two in the morning.i.e.-take "yes" for an answermeaning just put on the ear gear and the "problem" is solved. taadaa!

The hard fact is the only way to deal with people like the intended recipient of that letter and Anon 11:20AM is violence or the perceived threat of violence.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just true. You can't make people like that not think they aren't the most important people in the universe, all you can do is scare them. In the eighties or nineties no one would behave like this because they would literally get the shit kicked out of them by someone who they would annoy more then that person cared about the consequence of assaulting them or threatening to.

I’ve lived in the EV since the early 90s in a 6-floor walkup where you can hear your neighbors’ EVERY step , every argument, all the loud music especially the bass , the “jam sessions”/band practices and dicks practicing their tuba (yes, tuba practice), oh yea and I can’t forget the sex - you can hear EVERYTHING in these old buildings.

The revolving door of kids within the past couple years have been the worst that I’ve ever experienced. They have no common courtesy whatsoever and they are so self-important and just plain rude. Example: coming home anywhere btwn 2am-5am on a worknight and BLASTING their stereo (or practicing electric guitar thru an amp really f’n loudly).

When I confronted this person and explained that I had a dayjob and that I can hear EVERYTHING, she said her speakers were small, she wasn’t going to stop blasting her music at those hours and told me I was just telling her what to do. I’m sick of these inconsiderate kids. They have to stop treating these apt buildings like a dorm.

Landlords are part of the problem too. They need to stop taking tenants whose parents pay for the apts.

As usual, when people come out to defend the indefensible on this blog, certain comments usually make their appearance. Oh, yes, here they are:1.“the Russians wrote the same letter to the Puerto Ricans...this has been going on for centuries, but it's nice to know the author has corrupted it to mask what is basically a noise complaint." Check.2."These neighborhoods have changed hundreds of times before. They will change a hundred more.” Check.3.“So we can either all agree to live in this kind of (mostly white and mostly educated and mostly privileged as fuck) victim-hood "back in the day" shit or just move on.” Check.4.“How about you bring back the junkies and squatters, then all of you d-bags can get the fu*k up outta there. “ Check.BTW, as linked to by the Jeremiah Vanishing Blog, the type of hyper gentrification seen in New York post 9/11 is unique, it is NOT the normal flow of neighborhood change.

http://vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com/2008/10/bloomberg-way.html

My final comment to all you Frat types is as follows: “You blow it tonight, girl, and it's keggers with kids all next year.”

One thing you know is true-- these kids (I really don't know what to call them, men? Semi-adults? Drunkards? Post pubescents?) will be moving out soon so I say feel free to offend them back because revenge is fun. Most likey they will be replaced with a better group.

My theory about these kids and their defenders is they grew up in houses and never had the reason to consider the impact of their actions. As someone who has never lived in a house I can tell you that when you are yelled at for playing jacks on the floor on a Sunday afternoon, with that tiny little quiet ball, you take a lifelong lesson in living in close quarters and respecting that neighbors all have different hours and habits.

Ever think that these "frat kids" are making noise on purpose b/c of the antagonistic attiude of older neighbors who refer to them as "frat kids"? You are exhibiting the same sense of entitlement that you accuse these kids of. Longevity in one location doesn't give you any more of a right to live somewhere than the newly moved in student, single mother, family of four. On ahd ps...you live in a fucking CITY. If you don't like the noise, I hear things are quieter in Jersey.

You know, not every 20-something from CT is a frat dude with rich, executive parents who work in finance. Sorry, but I feel the need to defend myself over sweeping generalizations made by ignorant East Villagers who haven't been past the UES in years, with the exception of an occasional trip to Astoria. (Or is that just another stereotype?)

Yes, these shitheads need to show some more respect, but maybe it's not the fact that their suburban white kids from CT that's the problem. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that they're immature assholes. Both parties need to get over themselves.

I moved to NY and soon left due to unfortunate circumstances. I was hoping to move back, but have now changed my mind after realizing I'd be surrounded by people on serious ego trips.

HA i live in this building and laughed when I read this anonymous note. This building is surrounded by the projects, a half way house and a rehab that is drug infested. Half of the block is condemned by the buildings department and has become a hangout for the dregs of society. Need a crack pipe? get one with your egg sandwich at Adinahs Farm on our corner..there is always a line! This is the east village and you've got to fight for your right to PARTY! IF you want peace and quiet move to the UES. This neighborhood is for people who dont want to live in suburbia... go love in the burbs...toughen up this is NYC on the edge of darkness.... not PARK AVE.

Sorry, one more post. As you can see, the usual suspect comments were not finished as of yet:

5. “IF you want peace and quiet move to the UES. This neighborhood is for people who dont want to live in suburbia... go love in the burbs...toughen up this is NYC on the edge of darkness.... not PARK AVE.” Check.

6.” On ahd ps...you live in a fucking CITY. If you don't like the noise, I hear things are quieter in Jersey.’

PS our management company doesnt care...they just want the rent on time... market rate..no Section 8 or government subsidies..just good old USA CASH... 2000 and up... you gotta pay to play ...it s the new NEW YORK..get over yourselves... the scummy squat days are over and the projects are overflowing... the government is going bankrupt... so enjoy your tax dollar free rent food and health while it lasts... someday they will bulldoze AVE D and beyond... get ready

To the person who said a-holes are a-holes no matter what age: bravo. I am an NYU student. I moved out of housing and far away from the school because I was embarrassed by my peers and as equally annoyed as many of the long time village residents who are posting here. That being said, I wish the stigma wouldn't carry over to all us students. I promise at least a few of us were raised by good people and were taught to be considerate of others. We genuinely care about the city and the neighborhood. But THAT being said, I have encountered the loud, obnoxious behavior in every neighborhood I have ever lived in, the perpetrators being of all ages and types. Do you REALLY need to honk your horn repeatedly at 3 am on a quiet street to signal to your friend that they are taking to much time? Are you really not aware that when you smoke the odors filter up into my apartment? Is it REALLY a problem that I have a few friends over for the first time in six months at 5 pm on a Saturday and we somehow managed to make enough noise to bother you? I don't know and I curse at you a lot, but I also accept that these indecencies are what I choose to live with by choosing to live in the city. I am sure as respectful as we all think we are, we break codes we aren't aware exist. Many people = many codes. And sometimes it just takes a kind exchange between neighbors where you say, "hey, I recognize you do things one way and I do things another, so let us try and make a compromise."

I've never understood the mentality of complaining about people practicing musical instruments in their private apartments. Yes, there are unreasonable hours to do it. Those people suck. But saying people shouldn't practice because they sound bad or because it is simply loud is ridiculous. WE LIVE IN A CITY. Dealing with other people's shit is one of the concessions we make. The buildings many of us choose to live in create a situation where we hear things we don't want to hear. But we should accept it. People are going to have sex in their apartments. People are going to have friends over. People are going to play instruments. People of ALL ages, ALL types, will do this because these are things that people do. Again, we have chosen to live in a place of high density. This does not mean we all need to live silent lives where we are afraid to do more than tip toe around our apartment with pillows tied to our feet. It means we have to accept that we are all going to bother and be bothered simply because we live near one another, not because we or they are doing something wrong.

PattyCake - I realize you're just trying to get a rise out of people but the note says nothing about how long the poster has lived there, or if they pay market rate, or that they think people shouldn't have parties.

I THINK YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT.But again, you're likely "trolling" because I am guessing if you're that obnoxious in reality and running your mouth you would have heard from your neighbors already.

Even if they're 25 and richer than you, because none of that has anything to do with what was written.

I would LOVE to move to the UES/Park Avenue but not necessarily to escape frat-party noise. I would move so that my eyes would no longer be assaulted by the deplorable clothing, the sad schmattas, worn by the bland-looking NYU students as they schlump inelegantly around the East Village: ill-fitting sweatshirts and sweat pants that look like they haven't been washed in months, baggy cargo shorts and filthy flip-flops worn 12 months out of the year, and of course the highly offensive UGGS boots. There's really no excuse for UGGS. Children, you look like SLOBS. Acquire a sense of style or move back to the suburbs immediately.

I guess the question is, acceptable to who? I think these kids are probably assholes, but I also think they're kids. The only people with the authority to accept their behavior or not are the landlords (who own the place and don't really care if the money comes from Connecticut or not, that's what landlords do) and the police, which everybody on this blog seem to hate and resent until it's three in the morning and the familiar "why don't they DO something?!" gets trotted out. The fact is, Crazy Eddie and others, that you might hate these kids, and you'd be right to hate them, but you really can't do much about it other than complain here, and we already agree with you. That's why we're here. But tell me, how are you going to banish them? Through righteous indignation? Through a corrective dose of "back in the day?" Well, good luck with that. I know it wouldn't have worked with us when we were knocking around once upon a time, but maybe kids are different now.

@3:00Not racist, but definitely classist or xenophobic. These conversations always come up during a rapid demographic shift, it resembles the arizona anti Mexican conversation that has been going on for years. I have said this before on this blog, it would be interesting to hear from someone qualified to speak about it. So interesting, even going so far as making a derogatory term "yunnies" to identify "them". I dont really have a horse in this race, but I am watching with interest. I dont like the hate and suggestions of violence though.

HOLY COW! Ev, you need to temper this ish. I'm not sure how anonymously yelling at each other on an internet forum improves the world much. We get it. You guys don't like each other, and you both have your upsides as well as you inconsistencies and unpleasantries. BUT HOLY COW people, slow down on the violent vitriol. I cannot imagine whose purpose it serves.

Legal precedent is typically that people do have a right to practice their musical instruments in their apartments. This is how a musician hone's his or her craft. Of course, one should be considerate regarding hours.

What is this paradise called the suburbs that everyone should move to? I have never heard of such a wonderful land, but after reading through these comments it seems to be the only thing we can all agree on. If you are to loud, move back to the suburbs, if the neighbors are to loud, move to the suburbs. Must find this enchanted land.

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